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Saturday, May 29, 2010

We took a taxi that would take us to Ha Long Bay, the road was interesting because it was giving us an air of what Vietnam was about. A very rural country, with incredible green grass, an economy probably based on tourism but also in agricultural activities.

I still couldnt define whether this country was rich or poor. Some aspects showed power but some others showed lack of resources.

We finally arrived to the BEAUTIFUL Ha Long Bay. It was something so unfamiliar to me. Open water surrounded by many and infinite rocks. So peaceful and uncommunicated. A place you wouldnt like to leave.

We bought a 2 days 1 night cruise in which they gave us a looot of food, an amazing kayak tour, the opportunity to jump in the bay with the beautiful company of jellyfishes.

At night all the cruises go to the same place and its amazing to see the lighting and the sky from the top of the "boat".

Once this beautiful trip ended, we were taken back to the hotel in Hanoi. The people in the hotel of Hanoi were so kind that eventhough we didnt rent the room this day, they allowed us to shower and to stay until aprox. 8 pm (the only thing they asked for was to make a possitive hotel comment online!!!!!!!!!!!).

So now our route was to take the train to Da Nang. But before A.L. went to pick up his bag to Hanoi's airport, because it finally arrived.

Monday, May 10, 2010

1. Is it the other fishes in the sea? 2. Is it the beauty hidden in the ocean? 3. Is it discovering new food or eating the same one?

What makes you happy? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Well, I have done my homework and I can say I feel veryhappy. The great people around, the things I have gone through in the past months (good and bad), my family, the new challenges at work, the company of my lovely roommate, the sound of a new or same old songs, going to awesome concerts... And the list would go on and on...

And I don't know the exact reason why I'm writing this, but I feel I just wanted to share it.

And in my head I still hear two phrases: "I discovered that my castles stand upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand" & "All that I know is nothing to run from, cause everybody here got's somebody to lean on"..

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

This time the plane was full of chinese and vietnamese (At least they werent starying at us as if we were from another planet).

We arrived late at night to the Hanoi's Airport, took a taxi which didnt understand our explanation of the hotel name nor location, but according to him, he already knew where to take us.

Going through those roads was a deja vu. The road and the wet air felt very familiar, just as if I was home.

When we arrived to the alleged hotel, the taxi driver took out all of our bags and left us there. We paid 15 dollars for his service.

A few minutes passed, after we spoke to the girl that worked in the hotel and she realized that OUR hotel (the one in which we had a reservation), was not the one in which the taxi driver left us at..... Conclusion: 2 hotels, same name, different addresses.... Thank you. The girl gave us advice in how much the new taxi driver should ask for this service, first friendly vietnamese experience.

So we called another taxi, to take us to the good one. No more than 10 minutes and we were there...

First impression: The guys that were supposed to help us with your bag and take them to the room were sleeping in the floor of the hotel entrance......... But all of the sudden after hearing us, they were steady and smiling.

A.L. and S.D (the guys) went to one room, the girls to another one... So, the boy that was helping us take our bags to the room opened the door and guess what? I see a very pretty roach welcoming us.... the boy killed it and took it outside with his hand, no paper....

And then, as if that was not enough, the bed I chose had little bugs... So H.C and I ended up sleeping in the same bed like good sisters... just because of my panic... =)

The next morning we had breakfast, I washed my hair... and S.D comes and tells us that he didnt sleep well because at 3 in the morning he realized he hadnt given the address of our hotel to the people that were organizing our trip for the upcoming 2 days (To Ha Long Bay). So he moved air and sea to solve that, and in a matter of 30 minutes we were on the road, destination the beautiful Ha Long Bay.